Members serving on Town of Weston appointed boards and committees come up for term reappointments annually. The Select Board's appointment policy calls for soliciting feedback regarding the charge, procedures, and activities of its appointed public bodies prior to making any reappointments. During this time, the Board also solicits informal expressions of interest from residents who may be interested in serving on one the appointed bodies, now or in the near future.

This year, the Moderator is joining the Select Board in this annual call for feedback and expression of interest for his appointed boards and committees.
 
See Weston.org to learn:

Organic materials, such as food scraps, contribute to approximately two-thirds of the solid waste stream. Not only is it heavy, it is often wet and takes more energy to incinerate. By keeping organic materials out of your trash bag, the annual solid waste tonnage that is hauled away is decreased - ultimately saving you money.

To help Weston residents reduce what they put in the trash bag and get acquainted with the benefits of composting, a pilot program has been initiated at the Transfer Station. 

If you are an avid composter at home, the program at the Transfer Station is a commercial service, which means additional benefits to home composters (meat, dairy, and grease disposal)!

If you have a private hauler but are looking to increase your recycling efforts, a Recycle Only permit is available. This will get you access to all of the recycling opportunities at the Transfer Station, including yard waste, textiles, electronics, and more.

The final draft of the Case Estates Ecological Management Plan (EMP), prepared by Mass Audubon and the Conservation Commission, is now available for public review prior to the Commission’s October 27th hearing on the plan. The EMP provides recommendations for the care and stewardship of this unique 62.5-acre open space property over the next seven years. 

The EMP provides recommendations to guide the maintenance and stewardship of this unique property over the next seven years. It considers the ecological needs, community desires, and constraints and resources regarding the Case Estates and recommends the following short-term goals:

• Improve the meadows for pollinator habitat
• Reduce invasive plant infestations to minimize spreading and improve habitat quality
• Manage field edges to retain the extents of the fields
• Maintain stone walls for scenic qualities
• Protect specimen trees and shrubs, including both historic and recent plantings
• Welcome passive recreational users to the property, including users of all mobility levels
• Accomplish the management activities as efficiently and economically as possible

See the Town's website for the plan and more information.

4 - Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The Weston Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provides temporary monthly rental assistance in the form of a grant to eligible households who have a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

ERAP will pay between $350 - $800/month in rental assistance, depending on unit size, for four months. Payments are made directly to the landlord and the program is run through the Regional Housing Services Office on behalf of Weston's Affordable Housing Trust.  ERAP is funded with Community Preservation Act funds through Weston's Affordable Housing Trust (approved by the Sept. Annual Town Meeting).

5 - Leaf Litter = Garden Gold

Make all natural lawn and garden fertilizer with autumn leaves. It's easy and will save you a ton of work!  Just raise the blade on your mower and shred them right into the grass. It'll break down over winter and provide rich nutrients for the grass in the spring, as well as help keep weeds out. Ask your landscaper to help you out, if you use a service. The leaves can also be vacuumed shredded with a leaf blower and be used as a mulch around your landscape plants. This provides healthy nutrients and insulation over winter and spring.

Additionally, the leaves add nutrients when mixed with kitchen scraps and creates rich compost for your garden. You can learn more about leaf composting, as well as leaf mulch and mold from The Spruce.

If your thumb is as brown as the fallen leaves, please do not dump raked leaves (grass clippings, brush, and other yard waste) in the woods or near wetlands. Dumped yard waste destroys the underlying vegetation and wildlife habitat and prohibits new trees and shrubs from growing. Further, the excessive nutrients from the piles of leaves leech into local waterways and can lead to water pollution problems, such as toxic algae blooms. Take your leaves and yard waste to the Transfer Station or the Brush Dump, which opens Oct. 17th for six consecutive weeks. A Recycle Only permit will get you access to these services.

Look What's Coming Up:

• Look for the new 4-way stop configuration in the Town Center at Church St./School St./Boston Post Rd. Also look for pavement markings for new parallel parking on Church St., next to the Town Green
• The Select Board will be reviewing its 2021 Projects and Priorities at its next meeting on Oct. 13. The 2020 list is online
• FY22 Operation Budget process kicks off with the annual Financial Summit, which is anticipated for November
• Look for a fresh design to the Town's website, which will also include a domain name change to WestonMA.Gov. The new design will also reveal new looks for Recreation, Police, the Weston Public Library, the Council on Aging

(Bear with us, we missed a month, so there's a bit to cover)

There will be no Special Town Meeting this fall

The Zoning Board of Appeals is in deliberation discussions for the 751-761 Boston Post Road development proposal. A decision will be made soon.

The new Housing Production Plan Steering Committee had its initial meeting this week. Subscribe to receive notifications of when agendas are posted for the next meeting

The Merriam Street Brush Dump opens Oct. 17th for six consecutive weeks. Get a permit today!

Weston's Facilities Department was recently awarded a $199,000 state grant & is busy swapping out lights in town-owned buildings for energy efficient LEDs. This action is projected to save Weston ~$50,000 in energy costs annually and is helping move Weston Ahead to be a sustainable community

Weston is officially an MVP Community! With much appreciation to the Sustainability Committee, the town has access to more state grant funding that will support resiliency measures - like the Climate Action & Resilience Plan, Hazard Mitigation Planning and a lot more

The Weston Council on Aging, working with the Sustainability Committee, is hosting an online event to help residents learn more about home energy efficiency and solar power. Register today by contacting the COA at 781-786-6280.

Sneak Preview: NEW Volunteer Opportunities that will be advertised shortly: